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Penn State is ready to put its next varsity sports program on ice, with a Carbondale native's record $88 million donation to thank for it.

After years of speculation and countless hours of hard work from fans and alumni who have been hoping for more than a decade, university officials announced Friday that Penn State will establish NCAA Division I men's and women's ice hockey programs, starting in the 2012-13 seasons.

The donation from Terry Pegula and his wife, Kim - now the largest private gift in the history of the university - includes both an endowment to support the men's program and funds for a state-of- the-art, on-campus arena to be built near the Bryce Jordan Center and Beaver Stadium.

The Pegulas, who reside in Boca Raton, Fla., have been major players in the burgeoning oil and natural gas industries in the Appalachian Basin. Mr. Pegula is the founder, former president and chief executive of East Resources Inc., a privately held exploration and development company based in Warrendale, Pa. The company, which was purchased by Royal Dutch Shell for $4.7 billion in July, was instrumental in developing gas operations throughout the Marcellus Shale region.

Mr. Pegula, a 1973 Penn State graduate, told university trustees in State College on Friday he hoped the next Sidney Crosby would come from Pennsylvania and play college hockey for Penn State, referencing the 23-year-old Canadian-born Pittsburgh Penguins captain.

"We want to share our success with the people of Pennsylvania and with the very institution that helped me obtain the tools to launch my career in the oil and natural gas industry," Mr. Pegula said. "We expect that Penn State will become a destination, not just for top college players and coaches, but also for the growing base of hockey fans from across the commonwealth and the country."

According to Insidecollegehockey.com, Penn State will become the second-largest institution in the nation to offer men's Division I hockey. Only Ohio State is larger.

"Penn State's move to Division I is the most significant event to the sport in years," said former Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Craig Patrick, whose two sons and nephew both starred for Penn State's club ice hockey team. "With seven teams within 225 miles of State College, there is already a strong base of hockey fans on the campus. This is a perfect environment for hockey recruits who will love the location, the academics and the atmosphere."

It is expected to open in December 2013, but the architect for the arena will be chosen this fall. The planned arena will contain two ice sheets and offer ice time for local recreational and high school hockey programs, as well as speedskating and broomball clubs.

Athletics director Tim Curley said the school was targeting between a 5,000- and 6,000-seat capacity for the arena, and he hoped the facility would attract AHL and NHL exhibition games.

There was no word on what league Penn State planned to join once the program is ready to play. But one thing is for sure: There will be plenty of suitors.

Western Collegiate Hockey Association commissioner Bruce McLeod told Insidecollegehockey.com that he has had "direct contact" with Penn State.

The WCHA includes traditional collegiate hockey powers Wisconsin, Minnesota, Minnesota-Duluth and North Dakota.

The Central Collegiate Hockey Association, which counts Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State and traditional Penn State rival Notre Dame among its ranks, also has expressed interest in adding the Nittany Lions as a 12th team, according to published reports.

Mr. Curley, however, did not rule out the Nittany Lions being the driving force behind a new hockey league.

Although there is no Big Ten hockey league, Penn State will be the sixth school from the conference - joining Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Minnesota and Wisconsin - to sponsor hockey at the Division I level, and the NCAA requires six teams to form a conference.

The Big Ten has coveted hockey as another vehicle to help drive up the popularity of the Big Ten Network.

"We plan to have many conversations - both internally with our chancellors, presidents administrators and coaches and externally with the hockey community as a whole - as we endeavor to balance all of the unique interests in play," Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany said.

Contact the writer: dcollins@timesshamrock.com

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